Comminuting apparatus



June 19, 1962 Filed July 24, 1959 A. D. MAST COMMINUTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR June 19, 1962 A. D. MAST 3,039,505

COMMINUTING APPARATUS Fa. l:

INVENTOR.

A. 0. MAST BYW% ATTORNEYS United States Patent 0.

3,039,505 COMMINUTING APPARATUS Aquila D. Mast, Lancaster, Pa., assignor to Dafiin Manufacturing Company, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 24, 1959, Ser. No. 829,331 2 Claims. (Cl. 146-119) 1 This invention relates to processing apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for cutting and chopping materials such as grain, corn, loose and baled hay, and so forth and delivering the cut substance to a further processing mechanism, such as a hammer mill or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved rotary type cutter adapted for being employed in the above-indicated type of apparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved conveyor system for delivering substances such as above identified to a cutting mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved conveyance and cutting system wherein substances are readily processed with equipment supplied at minimum cost and requiring minimum maintenance.

In achieving the above and other of its objectives, the invention contemplates the provision of a conveyance system wherein an endless conveyor belt having a discharge end supplies material to a rotary cutter, which cuts and chops said material and delivers the bulk of the same in an arcuate path to a further processing device which may be, for example, a hammer mill.

As a feature of the invention, there is provided an improved casing or hood which conveniently provides for guiding the material towards the associated cutting mechanism and which, at the same time, provides a shield or guide in operative association with said cutting mechamsm.

A further feature of the invention is to provide an improved rotary cutter, the construction of which is ex tremely simple and which includes teeth which are of reversible construction so as to provide extended longevity.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a pivoted door or cover in operative association with the aforesaid hood, said door being provided with a curved upper extremity which functions as a guide or funnel in association with the conveyor belt operating therewith.

Other objects and features of the invention, as well as advantages thereof, will be found in the following detailed description, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a conveyance and cutting system provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a rotary cutting element employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an edge vieW of the apparatus illustrated in FIG, 2, in enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a tooth element employed in the rotary cutter of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the tooth illustrated in FIG. 4.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 generally comprises a conveyance section 10, a cutting mechanism 12, a casing or hood 14, and a processing section 16 which, for example, may be a hammer mill comprising a rotor and hammer arrangement in conventional manner.

The conveyance means comprises preferably an endless conveyor belt 18 having a discharge end 20 and consisting generally of an endless chain system or an endless belt of a material providing sufiicient friction to perform a conveying function. The belt 18 is supported at its discharge end 20 by a rotary shaft 22 which in the illustrated embodiment may be considered to represent a sprocket wheel or the like for driving the belt 18. Alternatively, shaft 22 may constitute the idling shaft of the conveyance system, with the drive being provided at the opposite extremity (not shown), Shaft 22 and, therefore, belt 18 is supported at its opposite ends by means of a frame 24, which constitutes a siding for the belt 18 to prevent lateral displacement of bales or like units of substances conveyed there along. It is to be understood, however, that the conveyance system is intended to convey material in loose form as well, and for this purpose the belt 18 can be provided with transverse ribs in conventional manner.

Positioned above the discharge end 20 of the belt 18 is the cutting mechanism 12. This cutting mechanism is preferably constituted by a rotary cutter the axis of rotation of which is defined by a shaft 26. The rotary cutter rotates with or about shaft 26 in a direction indicated by arrows 28 and, during such rotation, serves to cut and chop material received from the conveyance section 10 and to transport the same in an arcuate path to a point of delivery to the processing section 16.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a cutting element of the rotary cutter in greater detail, and in these figures it will be seen that the basic element of the rotary cutter is constituted by a plate 30 of which there are, for example, four in number.

In the prefererd embodiment of the invention, the plate 31 is of octagonal configuration. Sides 32, 34, 36 and 38 of outermost plates 30a and 30b support twine cutting teeth 40 which on the respective plates are inclined in opposite directions outwardly of the assembly.

Reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 indicates the preferred construction for a tooth 40 employed in accordance with the invention. In FIGS. 4 and 5 it can be seen that a tooth 40 consists of two sections 46 and 48 connected at an angle A, sections 46 and 48 being of substantially equal lengths. In the illustrated form, section 46 is provided with a cutting edge 50, and section 48 is provided with bolt holes 52 and 54 whereby the tooth 40 is connected to the plate 30 (FIG. 2). The invention contemplates, however, that the portion 48 should also be provided with a cutting edge so that, when cutting edge 50 is dulled by extended use, each tooth 40 can simply be reversed on the plate 30 so that the supporting end of the tooth 40 becomes the cutting end and so that the cutting end then becomes the supporting end.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutting element is also provided with a number of further cutting teeth 56, 58, 60 and 62. These cutting teeth are arranged in diametral- 1y opposed pairs, and the teeth in each of said pairs extend in opposite axial directions with respect to the plate 30. As is clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each tooth is provided with a plurality of holes 64, so that each tooth can be mounted at either of its extremities with the free extremi ty constituting a cutting edge, such as is indicated at 66.

In FIG. 3 appears the shaft 26, which constitutes the rotary support of the illustrated element plus a plurality of additional elements, all of which are mounted in sideby-side relationship on the shaft 26. Additionally connecting all these elements are axially disposed rods 68 and 70, and two additional diametrically opposed rods (not illustrated) which serve to maintain the spacing between the plate 30, as well as to make the structure both strong and rigid.

The hood 14, as illustrated in FIG. 1, consists of a portion 72 which tapers towards the extremity of the discharge end 20 of belt 18 and which covers the belt 18 at least in part. At its narrowest extremity, portion 72 merges with a cylindrical portion 74, which accommodates the cutting mechanism 12 and forms a guide therefor. The shape of portion 72 enables the performing of a wedging function, whereby substance being conveyed along the belt 18 is eifectively directed towards the rotary cutter.

On the free extremity of portion 72 is provided a pivot 76, whereto is hingably connected a door, flap or cover 78. Door 78 is freely pivotal on pivot 76 and may assume, for example, the position indicated by chain lines at 80. The upper extremity 82 of the door 78 is curved or arcuate, so that when the same assumes position 82a with door 78 moved to position 80, the upper extremity 82 constitutes a guide or funnel.

The materials from which the above-indicated elements are made are conventional, and it should be noted that the actual cutting elements are preferably made of an abrasive resistant steel. This provides for improved and extended operation.

In operation, a bale B moves upwardly along the inclined belt 18 to the discharge end 20, whereat rotary cutter 12 cuts and chops the delivered substance and delivers the same. in an arcuate path indicated by arrow 28. The chopped roughage particles are delivered via a discharge outlet indicated at D to the processing mechanism 16, whereat the substance is further processed. During the delivery of substance along the belt 18, the door 78 is opened in such a manner that a back draft opposite to the direction of conveyance is prevented and the interior of the apparatus effectively isolated from ambient atmosphere. Moreover, where bales are employed, the door 78 constitutes effectively a ratchet mechanism which permits movement of bales or the like in one direction only. Additionally, upper extremity 82 constitutes a guide which is automatically positioned when the door 78 is opened.

The rotary cutting mechanism described is an efiicient, inexpensive cutting and chopping device which is capable of performing its function over extended periods of time, without requiring replacement or repair. When the cutting edges of the different teeth are dulled, they need only be reversed and reattached to their associated plates, without the necessity for employing replacement parts.

In general, the invention provides an improved conveyanoe and cutting system at minimum cost.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structure set forth above. These modifications and variations will not, however, depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for cutting and chopping grain, corn, hay or the like comprising an endless conveyor belt; means supporting said conveyor belt at an incline with respect to the horizontal; a rotary cutter assembly including a shaft disposed transversely of, and horizontally above, said conveyor belt; at least three spaced apart cutter elements fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith above said conveyor belt, each of said cutter elements comprising an octagon shaped plate, a plurality of generally rhombic cutting members detachably secured to and projecting beyond first alternate edge portions of said plate, opposite edge portions of said plate being bent outwardly in opposite directions to support said rhombic cutting members at an incline, a plurality of narrow elongate cutting members, pairs of said elongate cutting members being detachably secured to opposed sides of the end plates of said cutter assembly and projecting beyond second alternate edge portions thereof between said first edge portions, said elongate cutting members being substantially narrower than said rhombic cutting members, the elongate cutting members fixed to said end plates projecting outwardly of said assembly said rhombic cutting members and said elongate cutting members having cutting edges disposed at opposite end thereof; a casing enclosing said cutter assembly and the end portion of said conveyor belt adjacent said cutter assembly, said casing having a top wall portion extending over said conveyor belt and tapering toward said cutter; and a door pivoted to the end of said top wall portion remote from said cutter, said door having an upper end curved toward said cutter and projecting above said top wall portion, whereby said upper end constitutes a guide when said door is pivoted inwardly of said casing, and said conveyor belt is moved to deliver material to said cutter.

2. Apparatus for cutting and chopping grain, corn, hay or the like comprising an endless conveyor belt; means supporting said conveyor belt at an incline with respect to the horizontal; a rotary cutter assembly including a shaft disposed transversely of, and horizontally above said conveyor belt; a plurality of spaced cutter elements fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith above said conveyor belt, each of said cutter elements comprising a plate, a plurality of primary cutting members fixed to, and projecting beyond spaced edge portions of said plate, opposite edge portions of said plates being bent outwardly in opposite directions to support said primary cutting members at an incline, a plurality of secondary cutting members, pairs of said secondary cutting members being fixed to each plate forming an end plate of said cutter assembly and projecting beyond alternate edge portions thereof between said primary cutting members, said secondary cutting members being substantially narrower than said primary cutting members, the secondary cutting members fixed to said end plates projecting outwardly of said assembly, said primary and secondary cutting members having cutting edges disposed at opposite ends thereof, a casing enclosing said cutter assembly and the end portion of said conveyor adjacent said cutter assembly, said casing having a top wall portion extending over said conveyor belt and tapering toward said cutter and door means pivoted to said top wall portion for providing a normally closed inlet to said casing past which said conveyor belt delivers material to said cutter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,369,180 Lindenberg Feb. 22, 1921 1,645,770 Olson Oct. 18, 1927 2,291,815 Korum Aug. 4, 1942 2,477,628 Lanter Aug. 2, 1949 2,505,023 Williamson Apr. 25, 1950 2,607,538 Larson Aug. 19, 1952 2,861,748 Miller Nov; 25, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 870,613 Germany Apr. 1, 1954 770,956 Great Britain Mar. 27, 1957 

